Apprenticeships can take you anywhere—that’s the message for young people and employers in Portsmouth during National Apprenticeship Week, from 14 to 18 March. Portsmouth City Council is promoting apprenticeships as an excellent career move for young individuals and a valuable opportunity for businesses.

Apprenticeship Opportunities in Portsmouth

During the week, apprentices and managers from the council will feature in promotional materials, encouraging the community to learn more about these opportunities. The council currently employs 41 apprentices across various services, with plans to increase this number.

Apprentices gain work experience, on-the-job training, and qualifications while earning a salary. Jordan Salvage, 20, a legal apprentice with the council, stated: “Being an apprentice works for me because it gives me a good career path and practical experience. You study and get paid, which is great.”

Success Stories and Future Plans

Maxine Jackson, an estate manager at the council, commented: “Hiring apprentices has been a great success for our housing services. It’s bringing in new blood. Our apprentices could be the managers of the future.” Later this year, seven more young people will join the council as social care and catering apprentices in residential homes.

A recruitment event for social care apprentices, which will also include other care providers, is planned for the summer. Cllr Luke Stubbs, the council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, said: “The council is right behind National Apprenticeship Week because apprenticeships give local young people the opportunity to train and develop while they work, setting them on the right track for the future. We’re totally committed to employing apprentices, because it means we can help young people find careers, develop our workforce for the future, and bring on new staff where we have shortages of the right skills.

How to Apply

Young people looking for local apprenticeships can visit www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship. For more information on council apprenticeships or the summer recruitment event, contact [email protected] or call 023 9268 8236. Employers can learn more by searching “employ apprentice” at www.gov.uk.